“Thank you, everyone, for coming.”

Guinevere spoke informally, as everyone present was younger than her.

Then, she looked in a certain direction and said,

“Oh, I didn’t realize Her Majesty the Empress was here too.”

The Empress smiled gracefully and nodded in acknowledgment, as if to express her gratitude for being noticed.

“Today is my son’s 14th birthday, the last one before he leaves for the academy, making it a special day for me.”

William swallowed hard. He was worried about what his mother might do in front of so many guests, embarrassed, and also feeling a strange sense of anticipation.

‘What is she going to say?’

After all, he is a useless child. Despite being 14, he hasn’t been able to manifest any magical power, remaining outside the interest of Guinevere Rodante…

“A child eventually leaves the nest, but I never thought that day would come.”

However, contrary to William’s thoughts, Guinevere’s words were completely unexpected.

“The day my son would leave…”

Then, something astonishing happened. A single tear rolled down Guinevere’s cheek.

“Mother!”

Larisa quickly scurried over to Guinevere and handed her a handkerchief.

“Thank you, Lara.”

After dabbing her tears with the handkerchief, Guinevere coughed. Just mentioning him leaving brought back memories of the day William almost took his own life. The tears flowed automatically, and even she couldn’t help it.

The guests murmured in shock, but Guinevere paid them no mind.

‘What, haven’t they ever seen someone cry?’

She stood her ground boldly, leaving the guests, including William, astonished.

“Hmm, anyway. I wish my son safety and well-being whenever he leaves my side. Let’s start the party.”

Guinevere raised her glass and announced,

“Happy birthday, William!”

The crowd cheered. William felt embarrassed, on the verge of tears, wanting to hide, yet also overwhelmed with emotion.

“Wil-Wil, snap out of it. We have to cut the cake!”

Larisa, eager for the cake, tugged at William’s arm. He quickly blinked away his tears and awkwardly proceeded to cut the cake.

Displaying skills befitting a knight academy acceptee, he sliced through the 14-tier cake in one smooth motion.

“Wowwww!!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Guinevere admired William’s showmanship.

‘Acting shy, but still…’

William presented the first slice of cake to his mother, and the second to Larisa.

After that, his role seemed to be done, but he felt like he had just performed a significant ritual.

But the ceremony was just beginning.

“May I have a piece too?”

As the Empress extended her plate, William had no choice but to serve her a slice of cake.

Then, a line of nobles formed behind the Empress. William started cutting and distributing cake to everyone, greeted with their well-wishes.

The 14-tier cake was so huge that there was enough for everyone. After he had finished distributing the cake without a chance to rest, the gift presentation ceremony began.

The first to present a gift was Guinevere.

“I pray for your safety, William.”

While it seemed like a standard congratulatory remark for a son who had been accepted into the knight academy, Guinevere’s emotions were intense.

She hurriedly left her seat before the tears could start flowing again.

Forced by the expectant faces of the crowd, William reluctantly opened the box.

He was shocked and quickly closed it before anyone else could see. Inside was a ring, unmistakably feminine, and undoubtedly set with diamonds.

‘Why would she give me this?!’

The second gift was from Larisa.

“William, thank you for being part of my family. Happy birthday.”

“Huh?”

‘I’m not officially family yet.’
William was flustered. What should he respond? Should he say that they are still strangers? While William hesitated, Larisa quickly handed over her gift and left.

The gift was a bouquet. It was clear that Larisa had picked and arranged it herself, as all the flowers were from the garden.

William chuckled.

Before he could dwell on his thoughts, it was the Empress’s turn.

“Congratulations on your admission to the knight academy. It’s reassuring to see a knight who will soon be sworn to the royal family. Happy birthday as well.”

After the Empress finished her greetings, a maid behind her presented a gift.

“Thank you.”

Out of courtesy, William opened the gift box to find a fine-looking real sword.

‘Should I pretend to be happy?’

William politely thanked the Empress again, despite his discomfort.

“A sword. Thank you.”

After all the presentations, it was Hedel’s turn.

“What is this?”

“What do you mean?”

William asked with a suspicious expression.

“…You’re giving me a gift?”

“Are you saying you won’t accept my gift?”

“No, it’s not that…”

William’s mood, which had softened during the unexpected birthday party, sharpened again. Why the sudden confrontation?

“I thought you had left.”

“I haven’t left! Why would I! After everything I’ve endured here!”

Hedel tossed the gift box to William, who caught it cautiously.

‘It’s not going to explode, is it?’

“It’s just a regular gift.”